Former footballer and campaigner Len Johnrose has died, aged 52.
Len had played for Bury, Blackburn Rovers and Burnley during his 16-year sporting career, before he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2017.
Ever since, he has worked tirelessly to raise funds and awareness for the disease, especially among other football players.
Len launched Project 92 after a 2019 FIELD Study discovered that there was a four-fold increased risk of developing MND among footballers compared to the general population.
Remembering Len Johnrose and the incredible contribution he made towards raising funds and awareness for motor neurone disease charities, following his own MND diagnosis 💙 pic.twitter.com/qg4e2GOPnh
His challenge – the Ice Foot 92 – saw famous footballers all trying to sit with their feet submerged in ice water to raise £92,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
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His sad death was announced yesterday by the Len Johnrose Trust.
A statement said: “We are heartbroken to tell you that our leader, Len Johnrose passed away this morning.
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“Len was an incredibly proud husband and father. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.”
Len Johnrose is now communicating with his family and friends using his own voice, which he banked after being diagnosed with #mnd.
The ex Blackburn Rovers and Burnley midfielder says being able to use his voice again with the help of a machine has been a huge boost.#bbcsportpic.twitter.com/qTPdy52bfm
— BBC Sport Lancashire (@BBCLancsSport) July 5, 2022
BBC Sport Lancashire recently documented how Len had captured his own voice after his diagnosis so that he could use it through his speech machine when the disease took his ability to speak.
Paying tribute to the former footballer, they wrote: “We are so sad to report that our friend & former colleague Len Johnrose passed away this morning.
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“The former Burnley, Blackburn, Hartlepool, Bury & Swansea player was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2017.
“We send our condolences & best wishes to Len’s family & friends.”
Rob Burrow, who also has MND, wrote: “I am sad to hear of the passing of a mnd warrior len Johnrose. I’m sick of this tory government not allowing the funds?. Rip len”
Burnley FC wrote: “We’re saddened to hear of the passing of former player Len Johnrose. Len passed away on Monday 15th August, after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease. Our thoughts are with Len’s family and friends at this very sad time. You’ll always be a Claret Len.”
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Len Johnrose has sadly died. Credit: MNDA
Chris James, director of external affairs at the Motor Neurone Disease Association said: “I clearly remember the summer of 2018, when Len Johnrose first spoke about being diagnosed with motor neurone disease and his story immediately gained national TV coverage and newspaper headlines.
“Len helped us in almost every area of our work, responding positively to every request and invitation, and giving his time to help both nationally and locally as a patron of the Central and East Lancashire Support Group.
“We are incredibly grateful to him and his family for all their help over the years, and we will continue to support Len’s family as they deal with this very sad news.”
Featured image: Len Johnrose Trust
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Manchester announces ‘poignant’ plans to mark Remembrance Sunday with free city centre service
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to honour the ‘service and sacrifice’ of members of the armed forces community during this year’s annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
With Remembrance Day only a couple weeks away now, just as it does each year, Manchester City Council has now revealed how the city will mark this important occasion, and has confirmed all the details of the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade.
Proceedings will start on John Dalton Street at 10:30am, and run right through until midday – with the service itself being held at 11am.
Veterans, military personnel and cadets, all led by Greater Manchester Police‘s Band, will march from John Dalton Street to the Cenotaph St. Peter’s Square.
This will be followed by a short return march to Mount Street across St Peter’s Square.
The service will begin at the Cenotaph at 10:58am, and a two-minute silence will be observed at 11am in tribute to those who have lost their lives in conflict. The start and conclusion of the silence will be marked by the firing of a maroon.
/ Credit: Manchester City Council
Following the service, veterans, military personnel and cadets will take part in a short return march across St Peter’s Square to Mount Street.
As the Council marks another year of its partnership with the Royal British Legion, further the Remembrance Sunday events will take place across the city following the service – including arts and crafts sessions, memorial services, and performances.
“Remembrance Sunday is one of the most important occasions in Manchester’s civic calendar,” declared Councillor Shaukat Ali, who it the Lord Mayor of Manchester.
“It is a time for us to come together as a city to remember and honour the courage, sacrifice and service of those from our diverse communities who have given so much in times of conflict. I want to encourage residents, families and visitors to join us at the Cenotaph as we pay our respects and ensure that the contribution of past and present generations is never forgotten.”
Manchester’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations will take place on Sunday 8 November from 10:30am onwards.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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Police issue statement following several stabbings in and around Manchester Arndale this month
Emily Sergeant
The police have issued an update following several stabbings, primarily involving teenagers, in and around Manchester Arndale this month.
It comes after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers responded to reports of a stabbing on Withy Grove at around 7pm on Tuesday evening (27 October), and once they attended the scene, the found a 13-year-old boy who’d sustained injuries consistent with knife wounds, and he was subsequently rushed hospital where he’s said to remain in a ‘stable condition’.
Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident, and GMP confirmed there will be an ‘increased police presence’ in the area as the investigation continues.
Section 60 and Section 60AA ‘stop and search’ warrants have been authorised following this most recent incident, and remain in place.
It has also been confirmed that four teenagers have been arrested in connection.
Three boys – aged 14, 15 and 16 – have been arrested on suspicion of affray and remain in custody for questioning, while another boy, aged 13, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article, GMP confirmed.
Providing an update following the several stabbings this month, Superintendent Simon Nasim, from GMP’s City of Manchester team, said: “Firstly my thoughts are with the young boy who was injured and I wish him a quick recovery.
“We are aware of the other incidents in the city centre of this nature, but at this stage they are not thought to be linked. Our communities should not be in fear of harm, and our priority is taking effective action with partners against those involved in anti-social behaviour and criminality.
“Knife crime is understandably a concern amongst our communities, and we have dedicated teams who will be deployed across the city centre to hotspot areas to strengthen our response to violent crime, and provide a reassuring message to our public.
“But we cannot tackle it alone. We rely on the cooperation of the public, to report anything that looks suspicious or any incidents to us, and we will be sure to act on it.
“Our investigation into [Tuesday’s] incident is ongoing, I urge anyone with information to please come forward.”
Can you help? Anyone with information, including witnesses or those with CCTV or mobile phone footage, are asked to contact police on 0161 856 1495, or via the LiveChat function on the GMP website, quoting log 3058 of 28/10/26.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Daisy Jackson -
16th August 2022 
